Wailuku in Maui County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Dedicated to the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 7, 2025
1. Dedicated to the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan Marker
This tree is dedicated to the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan
On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Tohoku Region of Japan. The devastating tsunami generated by this earthquake took the lives of more than 20,000 people and caused destruction throughout the region. In Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture, the Takata Matsubara forest of more than 70,000 red and black pine trees was destroyed by the tsunami. Remarkably, one lone pine tree survived. As such, the local residents of the area have named this tree, the kiseki no ippon matsu or the "miraculous lone pine." This pine continues to thrive and has become a symbol of hope and perseverance to the victims of the disaster. The matsu of "pine tree," planted here represents the strength and resolve of those affected by this tragedy. This matsu is also symbolic of the strong ties, support, and aloha that the people of Maui County share with the people of Japan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is March 11, 2011.
Location. 20° 52.987′ N, 156° 32.172′ W. Marker
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Regionally, this marker is in Lahaina and West Maui. Globally, it is in North America, Polynesia, the Pacific Ocean, North Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Japanese Centennial Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Immigrants (within shouting distance of this marker); In Commeration of the Arrival of the First Japanese Immigrants to Hawai'i (within shouting distance of this marker); Kapaniwai Chinese Heritage Garden / Sun Yat Sen Bronze Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Chinese Immigration to Tan Heong Shan: The Sandalwood Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker); Sun of Maui (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 7, 2025
2. Dedicated to the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
